West Ham vs FCSB prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-07 19:00.
West Ham manager David Moyes described the use of VAR to disallow what would have been an equaliser against Chelsea (L 2-1) on Saturday as âscandalousâ, although his sideâs performance heartened him ahead of their UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) opener against FCSB. With two of their three wins this term coming in the UECL, his new-look squad seems to have gelled quicker in Europe than at home, where Hammers fans may be delighted that VAR isnât being used!
They beat Viborg 6-1 on aggregate in the qualifiers, leading both matches 1-0 at half-time before adding two further second-half goals as they look to back up their UEFA Europa League semi-final appearance last term. West Ham won their first two home games in that campaign âto nilâ so a repeat would be ideal, particularly as theyâre winless across their last three home clashes with Romanian clubs (D2, L1).
In 1999, these two met in a UEFA Cup second round tie with FCSB winning 2-0 on aggregate after a 0-0 draw in London, but the 1985/86 European Cup winners havenât enjoyed their more recent encounters with English clubs. Theyâve failed to score in their last four against English opposition (L4), and a slow start to their domestic season (W1, D4, L2) increases the likelihood of another difficult outing.
But FCSB manager Nicolae DicÄ says his players are âraring to go for a prestigious trip to the English capitalâ and wants them to embrace playing in front of a capacity crowd â something theyâre missing at home as attendances have dwindled. âHereâs hoping,â he added, but as theyâve lost their last seven games in England, he might have to be careful about what he wishes for!
Players to watch: Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in each of West Hamâs two UECL games this term, while FCSBâs Andrei Cordea hasnât been on the losing side when scoring since joining the club (W8, D1).
Hot stat: West Ham collected just two yellow cards during their two UECL qualifiers.